What is a Content Management System?

What is a Content Management System?

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As the name implies, a content management system allows a site’s owner to easily manage the content within their website. A Content Management System (CMS) uses an online database for managing the site’s content. Utilizing a user name and password, the site’s owner can login directly to the hosting server to modify, add, delete page contents on-the-fly. Once the owner, or administrator , “saves” changes on the server, the new content is immediately available on the world-wide-web.

Our CMS employs an easy to use administrator that does not require any specialized computer knowledge. A simple text editor automatically converts the data into HTML. Image handling and file management capabilities can easily be added to the administrator for handling non-text content. Our CMS also enables the use of an internal search engine , so your site visitors can find what they are looking for quickly and easily. By building CMS websites, we can provide our clients with the ability to easily maintain their websites in-house… no waiting for production time, no additional fees every time something in your business changes. Our sites are built with an expandable foundation to easily accommodate future growth.

How much does hosting cost?

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Hosting service costs vary greatly in price, customer service , support, and available features. As the saying goes…you get what you pay for.  Sure you can find a less expensive hosting service provider, but…what kind of ‘service‘ will they offer to you? We offer a local source and support system so if you have a problem you call or email us.  We will take care of your issue and contact you when it is corrected.  You will not have to call us 5 times and explain the whole issue from the beginning to several different people. You will not have to press 1 for technical support and then 3 for email related issues and then 2 for immediate assistance. You will not have submit a written trouble ticket or speak to someone that is employed at a call center in another part of the world. We are locally owned and operated. We even publish our cell phone numbers for off-duty contact.

We offer three hosting packages:

  1. The basic package cost is $199.95 if you prepay for one year. The basic package offers 450 MB of file storage, 5 GB of file transfer, (5) POP3 email accounts or aliases, 1 MySQL Database, auto-responders, and more!
  2. The deluxe package cost is $299.95 if you prepay for one year. The deluxe package offers 1000 MB of file storage, 20 GB of file transfer, (15) POP3 email accounts or aliases, auto-responders, web mail,  5 MySQL Databases, pre-configured scripts and much more !
  3. The Total Host package cost is $468.00 if you prepay for one year, or $39.00 per month with auto-recurring billing using a debit or credit card. This all-in-one solution includes everything you need to be worry free.

    At $39.00 per month it offers:

    • Security patches and site clean up (for WordPress websites only), as needed if hackers get into your site.
    • Automatic software upgrades to keep your website using the latest technological advances.
    • Automatic domain name renewal.
    • Automated monthly billing service using electronic banking.
    • No worries, no hassles…you’re covered with Total Host!

How much does a web site cost?

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All of our work is custom designed for our clients. However, we have established some pricing guidelines to help people understand some of the options, features, and different functionalities of websites. Below are a few examples.

Our Basic Static websites start @ $1,000.00. This type of package is usually used to initiate a web presence for informational purposes and/or advertising. This package is recommended for those sites that do not require a lot of regular maintenance, or changes. A typical five page site would include a home page, about us, contact, FAQ, and a products/services page. This starting price would include all necessary components of getting your business established on the World Wide Web. It includes design, navigational structure, and all development necessary to create a web standards compliant website. It also includes the first year of hosting fees and the first year domain registration fee. It is real good place to start.

Our Standard Database websites start @ $1,2500.00. This package is generally used for sites that have a high need for regular maintenance. A database driven site comes standard with a programmed content management system to allow the site owner to update various sections of the web site, even as a novice Internet user.

All database driven sites employ a back-end administrator that provides navigation and add/edit/delete functionality to all of the different database components and a “rich text” style editor in the administrator for editing the primarily text pages or general narrative sections. (I.E. Home, About Us, etc.)

Our E-Commerce Database websites start @ $2,500.00. This package is used to sell products through the web site typically unlimited product pages, category driven with navigation (IE. home page, about us, contact page, return policy page, legal disclaimer, unlimited products pages including a list of product descriptions and attributes (sizes, colors, etc.) with a product image).  Custom programming provides a shopping cart for all products, including product pricing, shipping pricing, applicable taxes, shopping cart display output, confirmation, payment information, billing information, shipping information, etc. *Note: Customer must have a merchant account and secure online financial processing service. Web site must be hosted on a secure server that supports SSL, PHP, CGI, MySQL, and possibly PERL. All product sections will be updateable through the use of a back-end administrator and all static pages will be updateable through the use of a “rich-text” style editor.

Domain Registration Pitfalls

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Registering a domain name is easy…

…finding the one you want available can be another story. If you have a business name, you should probably find and purchase/register your choice even if you do not plan on using it right away. There are individuals and businesses that register domain names just to resell at an inflated price later.

So get your domain name secured as soon as possible. If the name you want is unavailable keep checking back since they do have an expiration date. If the current owner does not renew the name, it will become available to the general public after the expiration date & a short redemption period.

Make sure they can contact you

When you register a domain name be sure to include long-term contact information. Whether you register the name yourself, have an employee do it, or an outside third party, be sure to provide secure contact information to the registrar. We’ve seen cases where a business asks an employee or other service company to register their domain name and the other party provides only their own personal contact information to the registrar. This can become an issue if the employee leaves the company, or the outside service company goes out of business. You should be sure yourself or your company is listed as the registrant and provide long term company contact information and an administrative contact to the registrar, to ensure that you retain legal control of the domain name. Only those listed with the registrar can renew or make changes to the account.